‘We need you to beat Newcastle at Emirates Stadium’, Arteta tells Arsenal supporters

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta believes that an ever-active Emirates Stadium crowd could help the Gunners when Newcastle United arrive in north London on Saturday night.

After a packed house roared us on to a huge victory against Liverpool, the Spanish boss expressed joy on how the supporters helped push the players throughout the game and raise their levels in a crunch fixture.

A win for the north London club when the Magpies visit will make it a sixth-straight win in the Premier League, and settle the score against the opponents who ended Arsenal’s undefeated start to the season in controversial circumstances back in November.

“We want to create an atmosphere in the stadium from the beginning,” Mikel said in his pre-match press conference.

“I ask everybody to go there tomorrow night with full energy because the team is going to need it. We are in a really good moment in the Premier League and we want to continue to be there and tomorrow’s game is vital to achieve that.”

Arsenal are seeking a revenge over Newcastle as they also stopped the Gunners from making it to the Champions Leage last season.

Arteta, however, acknowledged the strength in the visiting team, describing the Magpies as a well-coached team with fantastic players.

“With every club there is always a history,” he added. “I could sense in the dressing room straight away [in the previous meeting] that we wanted to play the next day. After that defeat and that feeling that you get, I’m sure that when they come back in an hour or two I’m going to be seeing that desire again.

“Newcastle are a really good team. They are very well-coached, and they have fantastic players. They have great spirit within the team and they are difficult to beat for us and for many, many opponents. They have changed a little bit [since our last match] and might have some players who are not available, and the same for us so let’s see. Every game is very different and the approach sometimes away and home can change.

Arteta added, “Normally they have a very different approach, especially when they don’t have the ball. So it’s two very different setups [compared to Porto]. What happened in another competition is there, but what you cannot deny is what is in your tummy after a defeat. We have to use it in a really powerful way to be better.”